Dichloro trifluoromethyl benzoic acids as agrochemical agents

ABSTRACT

DICHLORO TRIFLUOROMETHYL BENZOIC ACIDS ARE PREPARED FROM DICHLORO TRIFLUORO TOLUENE AND ARE USEFUL AS PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS AND HERBICIDES.

United States Patent Int. Cl. A01n 9/24 US. Cl. 71-115 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Dichloro trifluoromethyl benzoic acids are prepared from dichloro trifluoro toluene and are useful as plant growth regulators and herbicides.

CFs

A COOH l-Cl provided that Cl, is restricted to either the A or B position, and when Cl is at A, COOH is at B.

More specifically, the preferred compounds of this invention 'are 2,6-dichloro-3-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid,

-C O O H 2,8-dichloro-5-trlfluoromethyl benzoic acid COOH (1J1 2,3-dlehloro-6-trifluoromethy1 benzoic acid CFa COOH

3,723,090 Patented Mar. 27, 1973 See and 3,4-dlchlor0-6-trifiuoromethyl benzoic acid C O O H- The process for preparing the compounds of Formula I may be represented by the following reaction scheme:

A CO2 Al 1 OH -C1 BI inert solvent; B

J31 (51 (II) (I) where Cl is restricted to either the A or B position; and when Cl is at A, Li and COOH are at B.

Compounds (I) are prepared by treating in an inert solvent a corresponding lithium intermediate compound of Formula II with carbon dioxide. The reaction may be conveniently carried out at a temperature of from -50 C. to 35 C. and preferably at a temperature of 10 C. to 10 C. The carbon dioxide used can be asolid or gas. The solvent may be lower hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, heptane and the like, ethers such as diethyl ether, dibutyl ether and the like, tetrahydrofuran and benzene.

.The process for preparing compound (II) may be represented by the following reaction scheme:

(III) Where Cl and Li have the above-stated restrictions, and R is a straight chain lower alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

The intermediate lithium compound (II) may be prepared by reacting a dichloro-trifiuorotoluene with a straight chain lower alkyl lithium compound (IV) having 1 to 6 carbon atoms in a solvent in the presence of an inert gas. The preferred alkyl lithium compound is butyl lithium. The solvent may be lower hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, heptane, and the like, ethers such as diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, and the like, tetrahydrofuran and benzene. The inert gas may be nitrogen, helium, argon, and the like. The'reaction conveniently takes place at temperatures of 60 C. to 30 C. with the preferred temperature range being 50 C. to 40 C.

When the starting material of Formula III is 2,4-di- ClJlOl'O-cc,ot,oc-tl'ifluOIOtOlllCIlfi,

the lithium intermediate is 2,6-dichloro-3-trifluoromethylphenyl lithium having the structural formula Cl (VI) When the starting material of Formula III is 3,4-dichloro-a,a,a-trifluorotoluene,

( ll (VII) the lithium intermediate can be represented by the structural formula Using the reaction described above for compound (1), compounds (Ia), (Ib), (Ic) and (Id) can be prepared. When 2,4-dichloro-a,a,a-trifluorotoluene (V) is the starting material, the 2,6-dichloro-3-trifiuoromethyl benzoic acid (Ia) is obtained. Starting with 3,4-dichloro-a,a,u-trifluorotoluene (VII) a mixture of the 2,3-dichloro-5-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (Ib), 2,3-dichloro-6-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (Ic) and 3,4-dichloro-6-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid ('Id) is obtained with the 2,3-dichloro- S-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (Ib) predominating. Conventional recovery techniques are utilized for obtaining the products (Ia), (Ib), (Ic) and (Id).

These acids may be converted to and from the basic addition salts using conventional techniques, such as suspending or dissolving the acid in water and treating the resulting material with a base, such as sodium hydroxide.

The compounds of Formula III are known and are prepared by methods disclosed in the literature.

The trifluoromethyl benzoic acids represented by Formula I above, and their non-toxic basic addition salts, are useful because they possess pharmacological properties in animals, such as mammals. In particular, these compounds are useful as CNS depressants as indicated by their activity in mice given a 200 mg./-kg. of active agent and tested according to the 30-word adjective check sheet system basically described by Irwin S. (Gordon Research Conference, Medicinal Chemistry, 1959) and Chen (Symposium on Sedative and Hypnotic Drugs, Williams and Wilkins, 1954).

These trifluoromethyl benzoic acids or their salts may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or adjuvant. They may be administered orally or parenterally. For this use, the dosage will vary depending upon the mode of administration utilized and the particular compound employed. However, in general, satisfactory results are obtained when the compounds are administered at a daily dosage of from about 5 milligrams to 200 milligrams per kilogram of animal body weight. This daily dosage is preferably given in divided doses, e.g., 2 to 4 times a day, or in sustained release form. For most large mammals, the total daily dosage is from about 250 to 750 milligrams, and dosage forms suitable for internal administration comprise from about 60 milligrams to (VIII) about 375 milligrams of the compound in admixture with a solid or liquid pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

A representative formulation suitable for oral administration is a tablet prepared by standard tabletting techniques which contains the following:

The compounds of this invention are also useful as agrochemical agents, particularly as plant growth regulators and as herbicides and may be used for controlling the growth of plants or for the destruction or prevention of weeds or unwanted plants.

They may be used as such on their own or preferably in combination with an agriculturally or herbicidally acceptable diluent or carrier.

The compounds of the Formula I in the form of free acids or as agriculturally or herbicidally acceptable basic addition salts may be worked up to give agrochemical compositions of which the exact nature may vary greatly depending on the intended use. These compositions may be worked up in the usual way, if desired with the addition of adjuvants, to give preparations which may be used in the form of solutions, emulsions, suspensions, pastes, powders, strewing agents, dusting agents and granulates, if desired, after further dilution. Liquors for application in the control of plant growth or for use as herbicides should contain at least 0.0001 and preferably up to about 1% of an active agent of this invention. It is also within the scope of the present invention to incorporate into these agrochemical compositions adjuvants which facilitate distribution and increase the adhesion and stability to ram.

Depending on the purpose for which the preparation is to be used, it is possible to add other materials having an influence on plant growth, for example, in order to widen the effect spectrum.

Agrochemical preparations containing a compound of this invention may be used in conventional manner, e.g., (a) by emulsi'fication or suspension of the preparation in water and spraying the plants to be treated, for example, by sprinkling or spraying a locus to be cultivated or protected before the germination of any weeds, (b) by dusting already existing weeds, or (c) by direct application of a dusting or strewing agent or granulate to the locus to be cultivated. "If desired, the preparation may also be worked into the ground.

The plant growth regulator effective dosage and the herbicide sufiicient dosage will naturally vary depending upon such factors as the desired effect, the age of the plants, the culture medium, ambient temperature, humidity and light. The compounds of Formula I will generally be applied at a dosage of 0.051.5 pounds per acre to produce satisfactory plant growth regulator eflect and 2-30 pounds per acre to produce a satisfactory herbicidal effect. An appropriate non-selective dosage is 0.5- 1.5 pounds per acre for plant growth regulation and 10-30 pounds per acre for herbicidal action, whereas a dosage suitable for selective agrochemical action is 0.05- 0.5 pound per acre for plant growth regulation and 210 pounds per acre for herbicide activity. Methods employed to determine the plant growth regulator activity of the compounds of Formula I are as follows:

Test Method A: Cell elongation Plant: Cucumis sativus L.

Cucumber seeds are pregerminated at approximately 25 C. 1n MOllSCh dishes on moist filter paper in the dark. After 4 days seedlings whose hypocotyls are 6 to 7 cm. in

length are selected. Hypocotyl segments are prepared by cutting the hypocotyls with a razor blade 3.0 cm. below the base of the cotyledons. Cotyledons are removed or left attached to the segments. Sets of hypocotyl segments are incubated at 25 C. in the dark in covered dishes each containing 50 cc. of test solution.

The test solutions employed (Knop nutrient solutions diluted with water to 1/5) contain the test compounds in concentrations of 100, 10, 1 and 0.1 p.p.m. After 4 8 hours the length of the hypocotyls are measured and compared with control plants. All manipulations except the I length measurements are carried out in red light in a dark room.

Test Method B: Germination rate, shoot and root growth (cell elongation and cell division) Plant: Avena sativa L.

Test Method C: Leaf abscission (defoliation) Plant: Phaseolus vulgaris L.

ber of petioles abscised of the control plants (pure 0.1%.

agar).

The invention is illustrated, but in no way limited, by reference to the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 2,6-dichloro-3trifluoromethyl benzoic acid 170 g. (0.79 mole) of 2,4-dichloro-u,a,ot-trifiuorotoluene and 1000 ml. of absolute tetrahydrofuran were charged to a flask equipped with stirrer, dropping funnel, carbon dioxide condenser and gas inlet tube. The system was flushed with dry nitrogen and cooled (carbon dioxide-acetone bath) to an internal temperature of 50 C. A 660 ml. solution of n-butyllithium (1.06 mole nbutyllithium) in hexane was added dropwise minutes) to the flask. The resulting dark red-purple solution containing 2,6-dichloro-3-trifluoromethyl phenyl lithium was maintained at 50 C. for about one hour, and then poured onto a slurry of 750 g. powdered carbon dioxide and 250 ml. diethyl ether. After standing for about 20 hours at room temperature, the residue was treated with 750 ml. of 2 N sodium hydroxide. The caustic layer was washed with toluene, acidified with concentrated HCl, extractedtwice with 200 ml. of methylene chloride and dried with sodium sulfate. The methylene chloride layer was filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was crystallized from heptane to give 2,6-dichloro-3- trifluoromethyl benzoic acid; M.P. 90-92 C.

EXAMPLE 2 2,3dichlor0-5-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid C O OH ---Cl 2.3i-dichloro-6trifluoromethyl benzoic acid COOH 56.5 g. (0.263 mole) of 3,4-dichloro-a,a,a-trifluorotoluene and 500 ml. of absolute tetrahydrofuran were charged to a flask equipped with stirrer, dropping funnel,

carbon dioxide, condenser andgas inlet tube. The systein was flushed with dry nitrogen and cooled (carbon dioxide-acetone bath) to an internal temperature of 50 C. A 220 ml. solution of 15% n-butyllithium (0.352 mole) in hexane was added dropwise (20 minutes to the flask). The resulting dark red-purple solution containing the phenyl lithium intermediates of Formula VIII above was maintained at 50" C. for about one hour, and then poured onto a. slurry, of 350 g. powdered carbon dioxide and g. diethyl ether. After standing for about 20 hours at room temperature the residue was treated with 300 ml. of 2 N sodium, hydroxide. The caustic layer was Washed with toluene, acidified. with concentrated HCl, extracted twice with 200 ml. of methylene chloride and dried with sodium sulfate. The methylene chloride layer was filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was crystallized from heptane to give mainly a mixture of 2,3-dichloro-3trifluoromethyl benzoic acid, 2,3-dichloro- 6-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid, and 3,4-dichloro-6-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid.

EXAMPLE 3 A test tube having a 4 inch hole at the bottom is plugged at the hole with some glass wool. The test tube is then filled to about 1 /2 inches from the top with quartz sand which is made inert by washing with acetone-distilled water (1:1), distilled water, and dried. Seed of the plant to be tested is planted in the sand. The tube is fitted with a rubber collar and suspended in an Erlenmeyer flask containing conventional KNOPS nutrient solution and the active agent of this invention at a concentration of 50 parts per million (no active agent in check). The apparatus is placed under fluorescent lights for about three weeks and once daily, the bottom of the tube is dipped into the solution. The results are noted below when 2,6-dichloro-3- trifluoromethyl benzoic acid is used as active agent:

PERCENT OF CHECK Plan t/ Root seeds Test species Height length Comments Field Corn #8 2/4 6 17 Extreme eplnasty, then death; roots extremely stunted and extremely discolored.

Annual ryegrass 2/4 8 9 Extreme epinasty and much necrosis then death; roots extremely sparse and extremely stunted.

Barnyard grass 4/4 9 29 Extreme epinasty, then death; roots extremely sparse and extremely stunted.

Wild oat /4 0 0 No germination.

J ohnsongrass. 0/4 0 0 Do.

Wheat (Red Coat) 3/4 4 3 Extreme epinasty, then death; roots extremely sparse and extremely stunted.

Soybean (Adelphla)- 0/4 0 0 No germination.

Field bindweed 0/4 0 17 No genlmnaitron; roots extremely stunted and extremely sco ore Redroot pigweed 6/8 7 Extremeepinasty, then death; roots extremely stunted.

Cocklebur 0/1 0 8 N0 germination; roots extremely stunted and extremely discolored.

Cotton (Coker 201) 0/4 0 22 Do.

EXAMPLE 4 Using the procedure outlined in Example 3 and 2,3-dichloro-S-trifiuoromethyl benzoic acid as the active agent,

sions for application as sprays. The liquid or fluid compositions shown are prepared by thoroughly mixing and dispersmg active compounds and conditioning agent or the following results are obtained:

agents in an organic liquid diluent.

PERCENT OF CHECK Plant] Root Test species seeds Height length Comments Field Corn #8 4/4 47 22 Ohlorosis and much epinesty, then death; t

extremely stunted and extremely discolored. Annual ryegrass 4/4 75 69 Very slight necrosis. Barnyard grass.. 3/4 88 48 Very slight chlorosis; roots stunted.

ild oat 1/4 56 100 Very slight epinasty. Johnsongrass 3/4 67 110 Do. Wheat (Red Coat). 3/4 49 83 Minor epinasty. Soybean (Adelphia). 4 22 75 Extreme epinasty. Cofieewee 4/4 60 100 Epinasty; roots sparse. Field bindweed 3/4 11 50 Much epinasty; roots extremely stunted and extremely SDBISB. Redroot pigweed 5/8 15 14 CIItIOlOtSlS and epinasty, then death; roots extremely S 1111 e Cocklebur 1 39 21 Much epin s' y, han death; roots greatly stunted. Cotton (Coker 201). 4/4 53 111 Epinasty, then death, possibly due to fungal attack;

roots extremely sparse.

EXAMPLE 5 A t Parts Dust f l ti 2,3-dichloro-o-trifiuoromethyl benzoic acid Long chain fatty alcohol sulfate (emulsifying agent) 2 The following compositions are adapted for direct ap- Goula (di i agent) 3 plication as dusts for controlling the growth of plants or K r 70 for the destruction or prevention of Weeds using conventional dusting equipment. The dusts are made by blending 100 or mixing the ingredients and grinding the mix to give 55 B compositions having an average particle size less than Parts o t 50 ml s- 3,4-dichloro-6-trifiuoromethyl benzoic acid 30 A Akylated aryl polyether alcohol (wetting and emulsi- Parts fy g 3 2,6-dichloro-3-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid 20 Methyl cellulose (dlsperslng agfint) l T l 0 Kerosene 66 100 100 B What is clalmed is:

Parts 1. An agrochemical composition having plant growth 2,3 dich1oro 5 trifiuoromethy1 benzoic acid 5 regulatlng and herbicidal activity comprising as active Cottonseed oil 4 mgredlent an eficCtlVe OUIlt Of a compound of the Walnut shell flour 91 formula 100 70 EXAMPLE 6 A HOOC Cl Water-drspersrble llqurd compositions B The following compositions are in a liquid form and are adapted for addition to water to give aqueous disper- G1 provided that Cl is restricted to either the A or B position; and when Cl is at A, COOH is at B, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof in association with an agricultural carrier or diluent.

2. A plant growth regulator composition comprising as active ingredient a plant growth regulator elfective amount of a compound of the formula CFa . Al HOOC Cl Where the provisos are as set out in claim 1, or an agriturally acceptable salt thereof in association with an agricultural carrier or diluent.

3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein the compound is 2,6-dichloro-3trifluoromethyl benzoic acid.

4. A composition according to claim 2, wherein the compound is 2,3-dichloro-S-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid.

5. A method of controlling the growth of a plant comprising applying to a plant or to a plant locus, a plant regulating etfective amount of a composition according to claim 2.

6. A composition suitable for the destruction or prevention of weeds or unwanted plants, comprising, in an amount suificient to exert a herbicidal action, a compound of the formula A HOOC Cl I Cl References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,573,032 3/1971 Fellig 7l115 3,282,991 11/1966 Klein et al. 71-1 15 3,224,865 12/1965 Carlson 7l-1 15 LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner C. L. MILLS, Assistant Examiner 

